The Valley Journal

Eradicate violence, harassment against women workers

1Apr

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Eradicate violence, harassment against women workers

SINCE the 1970s, the country’s labor market has been driven by export-oriented economic policies that employ women in industries such as domestic care, textile and garment production, food processing, and electronics manufacturing. While this en masse recruitment of Filipina laborers paved the way for progress in addressing gender gap issues in terms of economic opportunities, educational attainment and political participation, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stresses that women workers continue to experience diverse forms of discrimination in the workplace. The Philippines has yet to ratify Convention 190 (C190) or the convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work since it was adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in June 20...

17Dec

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Media workers’ security of tenure bill

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has long since stood in solidarity with the media community and called for substantive legislation that will foster a healthy media environment, where workers are not only able to conduct their duty without fear of intimidation, violence, or reprisals, but also boost their collective morale. CHR thus supports the passage, through a unanimous vote, of House Bill (HB) No. 454 or the Media Workers’ Welfare Act on its final reading at the House of Representatives on 21 November 2022. HB 454 seeks to provide regularization to media employees after six cumulative months of employment with adequate compensation. These include basic social security and welfare benefits as mandated by law, disability benefits, medical insurance, and death benefit for the fam...

On the sale and sexual exploitation of children

3Dec

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

On the sale and sexual exploitation of children

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the upcoming visit to the Philippines of the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, on 28 November to 8 December 2022, upon invitation from the government. The Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography, and other child sexual abuse material, has the mandate to analyze the root causes of the sale and sexual exploitation of children and identify new and emerging patterns of the phenomena. In addition, she is also mandated to exchange good practices to combat the said problem, promote preventive measures, and make recommendations for the rehabilitation of victims. The Commission is hopeful t...

Assistance for workers during calamities

19Nov

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Assistance for workers during calamities

PROVIDING assistance to workers who suffered injury, contracted illness, and/or died in the performance of their duty, especially in critical times, are essential in ensuring workers' security and protection. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognizes the government's provision of financial assistance to those harmed or killed on duty in times of calamity or disaster through the Employee's Compensation Program implemented by the Employee's Compensation Commission (ECC). Government workers, private sector employees, self-employed individuals, house helpers, and sea-based overseas workers may avail of the said benefit. For government workers, all compulsory members of Government Service Insurance System or GSIS, including uniformed personnel, are qualified to receive financial assis...

1Oct

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Legal remedies on child support

(Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the DSWD-PAO agreement to pursue legal remedies against fathers who neglect child support) CHIL-REARING is a full-time job, all the more for single mothers who need to earn a living to support their families. This already demanding responsibility, coupled with the challenges of inflation and job security, entails support to ensure that children grow in a nurturing environment conducive to the development of their full potential. As such, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the collaboration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) to help children and their mothers receive support from estranged fathers. Through a signed memorandum of agreement, the two agencies w...

21Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Martial Law: Erroneously Commemorated

ON September 21, 1972, Proclamation 1081 was signed by the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos declaring Martial Law in the Philippines. From then, different stories came out from the people who experienced it and it was passed on and on and became one of the unforgettable memories in history. But what happened really? Why was Martial Law declared? Who was behind the reason why Martial Law was declared? Others blame Marcos for declaring Martial Law for making the Filipino people miserable during that time but others also welcome it for making their lives safe and protected. Others say that Marcos declared Martial Law because he was a dictator and that he only wants to have personal gains but others say that he did it for the common good of the Filipino people. Video clips, artic...

KO demands ERC to stop Electricity from Raising Rates

17Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

KO demands ERC to stop Electricity from Raising Rates

KURYENTE.ORG is challenging the Energy Regulatory Commission and chairman Atty Monalisa Dimalanta to decide on the petition of San Miguel-owned South Premiere Power Corp. and Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to amend their contract and impose a debilitating rate hike on consumers. The insistence of the San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-owned companies to amend their contracts with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) because of their fears that it results in losses is an insult to both the government and the consumers. When both the South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp. signed the contracts with Meralco, they legally committed to deliver what needed to be delivered, no ifs, no buts. To ask the Energy Regulatory Commission to change the rules for themselves is mocking the lega...

17Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

KO demands ERC to stop Electricity from Raising Rates

KURYENTE.ORG is challenging the Energy Regulatory Commission and chairman Atty Monalisa Dimalanta to decide on the petition of San Miguel-owned South Premiere Power Corp. and Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to amend their contract and impose a debilitating rate hike on consumers. The insistence of the San Miguel Corp. (SMC)-owned companies to amend their contracts with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) because of their fears that it results in losses is an insult to both the government and the consumers. When both the South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp. signed the contracts with Meralco, they legally committed to deliver what needed to be delivered, no ifs, no buts. To ask the Energy Regulatory Commission to change the rules for themselves is mocking the lega...

3Sep

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

Children’s protection in schools

As children learn best in safe environments, the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Child Protection Policy was formulated with the aim of protecting young learners from cruelty, abuse, harm, and other conditions prejudicial to their development carried out by adults, persons in authority, and/or their fellow students. The creation of Child Rights in Education Desk and the Child Protection Unit, as well as the subsequent adoption of the Rights-Based Education Framework for Philippine Basic Education, further strengthen DepEd’s commitment to upholding the broad range of rights of children in education. It is thus concerning how individuals tasked with educating young children have been allegedly involved in actions that are unbecoming of the role of educators in recent weeks. In Cavit...

21Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Opinion

RECOGNIZING OUR HEROES OF TODAY

WHEN we talk about “Heroes,” we usually think of the National Heroes whose names appear in history books. However, there are so many kinds of heroes existing in our community. One of these is the members of the uniformed services who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the land we are living in. Unfortunately, in their line, they have that unfortunate definition of a hero because there are members who went ahead in the name of protecting the people from the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) who are sowing fear and destruction in the communities. It is appalling though that such an ending for a quest for peace could be avoided and that there are chances we could grab to have a more peaceful community but there are people who choose not to care and live like it's not an ala...